EP1464943A2 - Procédé et appareil pour la détection de drogues - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour la détection de drogues Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1464943A2
EP1464943A2 EP04000768A EP04000768A EP1464943A2 EP 1464943 A2 EP1464943 A2 EP 1464943A2 EP 04000768 A EP04000768 A EP 04000768A EP 04000768 A EP04000768 A EP 04000768A EP 1464943 A2 EP1464943 A2 EP 1464943A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
check
sample gas
ions
absorption
sample
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04000768A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1464943A3 (fr
Inventor
Masaki c/o Hitachi Ltd. Int. Prop. Gr Ishikawa
Masaki c/o Hitachi Ltd. Int. Prop. G Matsumoto
Yoshihiro Hitachi Ltd. Int. Prop. Gr Nishikawa
Yasuaki c/o Hitachi Ltd. Int. Prop. Gr Takada
Hisashi c/o Hitachi Ltd. Int. Prop. Gr Nagano
Masami Hitachi High-Technologies Corp. Sakamoto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hitachi High Tech Control Systems Corp
Hitachi High Tech Corp
Original Assignee
Hitachi High Technologies Corp
Hitachi Ltd
Hitachi High Tech Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hitachi High Technologies Corp, Hitachi Ltd, Hitachi High Tech Corp filed Critical Hitachi High Technologies Corp
Publication of EP1464943A2 publication Critical patent/EP1464943A2/fr
Publication of EP1464943A3 publication Critical patent/EP1464943A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
    • G01N1/2202—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state involving separation of sample components during sampling
    • G01N1/2214—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state involving separation of sample components during sampling by sorption
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J49/00—Particle spectrometers or separator tubes
    • H01J49/004—Combinations of spectrometers, tandem spectrometers, e.g. MS/MS, MSn
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
    • G01N1/24—Suction devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N2001/022—Devices for withdrawing samples sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents
    • G01N2001/024—Devices for withdrawing samples sampling for security purposes, e.g. contraband, warfare agents passengers or luggage
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N2001/028—Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/22—Fuels, explosives

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to detection technologies for gunpowder-kind materials such as explosive substances, dangerous objects such as flammable substances, poisonous gases, and legally prohibited medications such as drugs (all of which, hereinafter, will be generically referred to as "special drugs" for convenience). More particularly, it relates to a detection method and its device that, by using a mass spectrometer, detect whether or not a special drug is present inside, e.g., baggage such as a piece of hand baggage, freight, and a suspicious object.
  • special drugs all of which, hereinafter, will be generically referred to as "special drugs” for convenience. More particularly, it relates to a detection method and its device that, by using a mass spectrometer, detect whether or not a special drug is present inside, e.g., baggage such as a piece of hand baggage, freight, and a suspicious object.
  • a detection device In such locations as an airport and an event grounds where a large number of people come and gather, a detection device has become necessary which is designed for detecting special drugs such as an explosive substance. This detection device is requested for implementing the safety of passengers and event participants, or the maintenance of public peace and order there. Moreover, a request for a detection device has been also made for checking a suspicious object in, e.g., a mail, a home-delivered parcel, and a rental safe-deposit box of a bank. As one of the detection devices of this kind, a hand-baggage checking device using an X-ray transmittance device, a metal detector, or the like has been widely used with airports as its center.
  • the X-ray detection device or the like is based on a detection scheme referred to as "bulk detection".
  • bulk detection a special drug to be detected as a target is recognized as a piece of lump, then judging the presence based on information about its configuration or the like.
  • trace detection a detection method on the basis of gas analyses
  • the trace detection exhibits a characteristic of making it possible to detect the extremely small amounts of components adhering to a bag or the like.
  • a device is now desired which, by a combination of the bulk detection and the trace detection, allows a dangerous object to be detected with a higher accuracy.
  • the detection device is also used at a customhouse or the like.
  • the bulk detection device and drug detection dogs are mainly used, it is now being requested to implement a trace analysis device designed for the legally prohibited drugs in substitution for the drug detection dogs.
  • the various analysis methods such as the ion mobility spectroscopy and the gas chromatography, are being attempted.
  • the development and research of a device which simultaneously exhibits all of the following characteristics is now being promoted: The detection speed and sensitivity to be requested as the detection device, and the selectivity of making it possible to detect a specific substance in a selective manner.
  • a data processing unit including a computer or the like identifies one or plural m/z (i.e., ion mass-number/ion charge-number) value or values indicating a special drug or drugs, thereby creating the mass spectrum or spectrums. Furthermore, the presence or absence of the special drug is judged based on this mass spectrum, and also its type is identified at the same time. Finally, if the special drug has been detected, an alarm or the like is outputted to be displayed.
  • m/z i.e., ion mass-number/ion charge-number
  • This phenomenon which is attributed to the low selectivity of a mass analysis unit for analyzing ions, is caused by its inability to distinguish between ions resulting from the stimulant and ions resulting from the cosmetics both of which have the same m/z value by chance.
  • the tandem mass spectroscopy As a method of enhancing the selectivity in the mass analysis like this, the tandem mass spectroscopy has been proposed.
  • the mass analysis is performed at two stages, using a triplet quadrupole mass spectrometer or a quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometer. Namely, in the mass analysis at a first stage, the m/z values of the ions generated at the ion-source are measured. Next, from among the ions having the various m/z values, ions having a specific m/z value are selected.
  • the selected ions i.e., precursor ions
  • a neutral gas or the like thereby generating decomposition ions (i.e., fragment ions).
  • the mass analysis of the fragment ions is performed.
  • tandem mass spectroscopy like this, when any one of the precursor ions is dissociated, which of the sections within its molecule will be cut off depends on the chemical-bond strength on each section basis. Consequently, analyzing the fragment ions allows the acquisition of the mass spectrums which include exceedingly ample information about the molecular structures of the precursor ions.
  • the tandem mass spectroscopy necessitates a longer checking time as compared with the normal mass spectroscopy.
  • This condition results in, e.g., an undesirable possibility of causing a traffic congestion of plural pieces of hand baggage flowing on board a hand-baggage transportation bench.
  • W0-02/25265A1 the following proposal has been made: Namely, only when the precursor ions resulting from the special drug have been detected in the mass analysis at the first stage, the mass analysis at the second stage is executed. This proposal is based on an assumption that no special drug is contained in almost all the pieces of hand baggage.
  • the special drug leaking from the baggage or the like is too small in amount, or the special drug is the type of special drug that is difficult to become the gas (i.e., vapors) at the room temperature.
  • the special drug is the type of special drug that is difficult to become the gas (i.e., vapors) at the room temperature.
  • merely absorbing the air on the surface of the check target by the absorption probe gives rise to a problem that the sample gas introduced into the mass spectrometer is insufficient in amount or concentration.
  • the check target on the check bench and the mass spectrometer are positioned with a considerable distance apart, it takes the sample gas a time to reach the ion-source via the pipe path such as the hose. This results in a problem that the detection speed is lowered.
  • JP-A-5-332894 and JP-A-2-2961208 As a countermeasure hereto, conventionally, portable-type sample pick-up devices have been proposed (refer to JP-A-5-332894 and JP-A-2-296128).
  • the sample pick-up device disclosed in JP-A-5-332894 is as follows: A sample-collecting filter is inserted into a casing with a built-in absorption fan such that the sample-collecting filter is in an attachment/detachment-capable manner into/from the front-end portion of an absorption pipe. This configuration collects environmental-pollution substances and dangerous objects existing in the air. Also, according to JP-A-2-296128, the sample pick-up device heats the surface of the check target to vaporize substances adhering to the surface.
  • the device intermittently injects an air-jet to promote the removal of the substances adhering to the surface, then absorbing the vaporized sample from the aperture of a nozzle so as to capture the sample into a collector.
  • This collector which includes a metallic ribbon wound in a coil-shaped manner inside a cylinder-shaped housing, allows the sample gas to be captured on the surface of the metallic ribbon by adsorption or the like. Concerning the sample captured into the collector, after the nozzle of the sample pick-up device has been connected to a sample absorption opening of the mass spectrometer, the collector is heated so as to detach the adsorbed sample. This makes it possible to introduce the sufficient amount and concentration of sample gas into the mass spectrometer.
  • the portable-type sample pick-up devices disclosed in JP-A-5-332894 and JP-A-2-296128 allow the detection by the mass spectrometer to be easily performed even if the check target is a freight container, a vehicle, or the like which is located outdoors.
  • the sample pick-up device disclosed in JP-A-5-332894 has the following problem: Namely, on the occasions where the special drug leaking from the baggage or the like is too small in amount, or the special drug is the type of special drug that is difficult to become the gas (i.e., vapors) at the room temperature, merely absorbing the air on the surface of the check target by the absorption fan, in some cases, gives rise to a problem that the picked-up sample is insufficient in amount or concentration.
  • the sample pick-up device disclosed in JP-A-2-296128 has the following problem: Namely, if, when performing the checking continuously, a sample at a preceding checking remains on the collector without being fully vaporized, the reliability of the subsequent checking is lowered.
  • the collector for capturing the sample is integrally molded with the main body of the pick-up device.
  • treatments such as washing the collector and its periphery must be performed. This results in a problem that the checking speed cannot be increased.
  • the sample pick-up devices corresponding to the number of the check targets must be prepared, which is inconvenient.
  • a sample pick-up method of the present invention is as follows: Using a check chip such as a piece of paper, a piece of cloth, or a piece of filter paper (i.e., filter), the surface or the like of a check target is wiped out, thereby picking up a sample on the check chip. Otherwise, the check chip such as the filter is provided on an absorption-flow path of a portable-type absorption probe in an attachment/detachment-capable manner into/from the absorption-flow path, and the air on the surface of or in the proximity to the check target is absorbed by this absorption probe so as to pick up the sample on the check chip. Next, the check chip to which the picked-up sample adheres is heated so as to vaporize the sample, thereby introducing the sample gas into a mass spectrometer.
  • a check chip such as a piece of paper, a piece of cloth, or a piece of filter paper (i.e., filter)
  • the check chip such as the filter is provided on an absorption-flow path
  • the wipe-out operation of the check-target surface is performed or, the air on the surface of or in the proximity to the check target is absorbed by the portable-type absorption probe, thereby making it possible to collect the sample on the check chip.
  • This characteristic accordingly, allows the sample to be easily picked up even if the check target is a freight container, a vehicle, or the like which is located outdoors.
  • the check chip is inexpensive, preparing the large number of check chips allows samples to be picked up from a large number of check targets at the same time.
  • the check chip is heated so as to generate the sample gas, thereby making it possible to easily introduce the sample into the mass spectrometer. This characteristic shortens a time needed from the sample pick-up to the sample introduction into the mass spectrometer, thereby making it possible to shorten the detection time in total.
  • a special drug detection method of the present invention includes the following steps: A step of heating a check chip to which a sample picked up from a check target adheres, a step of absorbing, as a sample gas, a gas generated from the heated check chip, a step of ionizing the absorbed sample gas, a first analysis step of analyzing masses of ions of the ionized sample gas thereby to acquire mass spectrums thereof, a first judgment step of judging whether or not ions having a first characteristic m/z value are present on the basis of the mass spectrums acquired at the first analysis step, a second analysis step of performing a tandem mass spectrometry in correspondence with a judgment result acquired at the first judgment step, and a second judgment step of judging whether or not ions having a second characteristic m/z value are present on the basis of mass spectrums acquired by the tandem mass spectrometry.
  • this method further include a step of outputting a judgment result in correspondence therewith, the judgment result being acquired at the second judgment step.
  • This judgment-result outputting step can be embodied as a notification step of issuing an alarm.
  • the step of heating the check chip can be embodied as a step of heating the check chip in a state of being introduced into a vaporization unit. Then, by absorbing the surrounding air as a carrier gas from the vaporization unit, the sample gas generated from the heated check chip can be guided to the first analysis step.
  • the vaporization unit in this case include two sheets of heating plates which are opposedly located with a certain spacing apart, and that the check chip be heated in a state of being inserted between the two sheets of heating plates.
  • the publicly known methods are applicable.
  • the following steps can configure the mass analysis steps: The step of analyzing masses of ions of the ionized sample gas so as to acquire mass spectrums thereof, the step of judging the presence or absence of ions having a specific m/z value on the basis of the acquired mass spectrums, and the step of outputting the judgment result.
  • a special drug sample pick-up device of the present invention includes the following configuration components: A case for storing an absorption fan, a driving source for driving the absorption fan, and a power-supply, an absorption nozzle mounted forward of the case and including therein a sample pick-up unit of vibration, air-injection, or heating, and a sample pick-up filter.
  • the sample pick-up filter is located between the case and the absorption nozzle in an insertion/extraction-capable manner, and a sample absorbed by the absorption nozzle adheres to the sample pick-up filter.
  • a set-up unit of the filter is provided on a connection unit between the absorption nozzle and the case.
  • the filter is configured to include a grasp unit which is provided at a circumferential edge of a ring-shaped frame of the filter.
  • an aperture portion positioned at the inner side of the frame is formed in a manner of being decentered in a direction moving away from the grasp unit.
  • the filter is set up in such a manner that this aperture portion will be filled.
  • a slit whose width is equal to the thickness of the filter is formed along a half circumference of the outer circumferential wall of the absorption nozzle.
  • the filter is formed in an insertion/extraction-capable manner into/from this slit.
  • the absorption probe can directly be communicated to the ion-source of the mass spectrometer.
  • a vibration is applied to the check target, thereby making it possible to absorb, as the sample gas, the air on the surface of or in the proximity to the check target.
  • This can be embodied by providing a vibration applier for applying the vibration to the check target, and the absorption probe for absorbing, as the sample gas, the surrounding air on the surface of or in the proximity to the check target.
  • the vibration applier may apply the vibration to a transportation unit or the like for transporting the check target, or may be provided integrally with the absorption probe so as to apply the vibration at the time of the absorption. It is preferable that, if the vibration applier is provided integrally with the absorption probe, the vibration applier be positioned within an absorption aperture of the absorption probe such that the vibration-applying edge directly comes into contact with the check-target surface. Also, it is preferable that a slit for making it easier to absorb the air be provided on an aperture circumferential-wall of the absorption probe.
  • a method is applicable which injects the air onto the surface of or the proximity to the check target. Namely, injecting the air onto the surface of the check target liberates the special drug adhering to the surface. As a result, by absorbing the liberated sample, the sample can easily be guided into the mass spectrometer. For example, a small amount of explosive substance or drug, in many cases, adheres to the surface of clothes of a person who has recently treated the explosive substance or drug. Accordingly, by injecting the air onto the clothes so as to liberate the special drug adhering thereto, the special drug can be absorbed into the mass spectrometer.
  • This method of liberating by the air-injection and absorbing the special drug adhering to the surface of the check target can be embodied by providing a jet nozzle for jetting the air onto the surface of or the proximity to the check target, and the absorption nozzle for absorbing, as the sample gas, the air on the surface of or in the proximity to the check target.
  • the absorption nozzle be provided in the surroundings of the jet nozzle.
  • the inner pipe of a concentrically formed double-layered pipe is selected as the jet nozzle, and the outer pipe thereof is selected as the absorption nozzle.
  • the aperture end of the jet nozzle is located at a position of being a little retreated from the aperture end of the absorption nozzle.
  • a slit for making it easier to absorb the air is provided on an aperture circumferential-wall of the absorption nozzle.
  • the use of the vibration or the air-injection also liberates dusts in addition to the special drugs. Consequently, it is preferable that a step of removing the dusts from the absorbed surrounding-air by using a comparatively coarse-mesh filter or the like be provided before the ionization step.
  • a method which locally heats the surface of or the proximity to the check target. Namely, heating the surface of the check target by irradiating the surface with laser light or heat wave generates vapors of the check target, thereby making it possible to absorb the vapors into the mass spectrometer.
  • This method can be embodied by providing a heating unit for locally heating the surface of or the proximity to the check target, and the absorption nozzle for absorbing, as the sample gas, the air on the surface of or in the proximity to the check target.
  • a unit for heating the surface of the check target by the heat wave is applicable as the heating unit.
  • the heating unit by the heat wave be provided integrally with the absorption nozzle.
  • a heating head be located in being positioned within an absorption aperture of the absorption nozzle, and that a slit for making it easier to absorb the air be provided on an aperture circumferential-wall of the absorption nozzle.
  • the above-described air-jet nozzle, vibrator, or heating unit is provided integrally with the absorption nozzle.
  • the absorption probe is configured to include a filter such as a piece of filter paper attached on the absorption-flow path in an attachment/detachment-fully-capable manner into/from the path.
  • This configuration makes it possible to collect the sample of a powdery substance on the filter, or to pick up vapors of the sample in a state of being condensated on the filter.
  • the filter on which the sample has been picked up is stored in a heater which is continuously-communicated to the ionization unit, thereby allowing the sample gas to be supplied to the mass spectrometer in a state of being enriched.
  • FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for illustrating the main unit of a special drug detection device of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
  • FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 illustrate an outside-appearance front view of the present embodiment, a right side view thereof, and a left side view thereof, respectively.
  • FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 illustrate a check-chip heater associated with characteristics of the present invention.
  • the detection device of the present embodiment includes a main body 1 that stores therein a mass spectrometer 6, a data processing device 2, a display device 3, and the like. Casters 4 are provided at the bottom of the main body, which makes the detection device transportable.
  • a heater 5 is provided on the upper portion of a housing of the main body 1.
  • the reference numerals denote the following configuration components: 7 a vacuum pump (: 26 in FIG. 1), 8 a roughing pump (: 30 in FIG. 1), 9 an air pump, 10 a cooling fan, 11 an oil-mist collector, 12 a mass-flow meter, 13, 14 exhaust-flow paths, 15 a data control unit, and 16 a UPS.
  • a rotary pump and a turbo molecular pump are provided in front of the main body 1. At the rear of the main body 1, the USP and a helium cylinder are stored in addition to the data processing device 2.
  • a quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometer (which, hereinafter, will be described as "ion-trap mass spectrometer") has been applied as the mass spectrometer 6 stored in the main body 1.
  • a sample-gas introduction pipe 21 and exhaust pipes 22a and 22b are connected to an ion-source 20.
  • the heater 5 is connected to one end of the sample-gas introduction pipe 21.
  • a sample gas generated inside the heater 5 is introduced into the ion-source 20 by being absorbed using a not-illustrated pump connected to the exhaust pipes 22a and 22b. Part of the components contained in the sample gas introduced into the ion-source 20 is ionized.
  • the sample gas introduced via the sample-gas introduction pipe 21 is introduced into an ion drift unit 45 at one time.
  • This ion drift unit 45 lies in a substantially atmospheric-pressure state.
  • part of the sample gas introduced into the ion drift unit 45 is introduced into a corona discharge unit 46.
  • the remaining sample gas is exhausted outside the ion-source via the exhaust pipe 22b.
  • the sample gas introduced into the corona discharge unit 46 is introduced into a corona discharge region 48, thereby being ionized.
  • the corona discharge region 48 is generated near the front end of a needle electrode 47 by applying a high voltage to the needle electrode 47.
  • the sample gas is introduced into the corona discharge region 48 in a direction which is substantially opposed to the ion flow drifting from the needle electrode 47 toward an opposed electrode 49.
  • the ions generated in the corona discharge region 48 are introduced into the ion drift unit 45 by the electric field via an aperture portion 50 of the opposed electrode 49. At this time, a voltage is applied between the opposed electrode 49 and an electrode that forms therein the aperture of a first orifice 23. This allows the ions to be drifted, thereby making it possible to guide the ions into the first orifice 23 with a high efficiency.
  • the ions introduced from the first orifice 23 are introduced into a vacuum unit 27 via a second orifice 24 and a third orifice 25.
  • the ions generated by the ion-source 20 and the part of the sample gas introduced into the ion-source are taken via the first orifice 23, the second orifice 24, and the third orifice 25 into the vacuum unit 27 exhausted by the vacuum pump 26.
  • These orifices are about 0.3 mm in diameter, and the electrodes that form therein the apertures of these orifices are heated at about 100 to 300°C by a not-illustrated heater. Meanwhile, the sample gas which has not been taken in from the first orifice 23 is exhausted outside the device via the pump from the exhaust pipes 22a and 22b.
  • the spaces between the electrodes that form therein the apertures of the orifices 23, 24, and 25 have each become differential exhaust units 28 and 29, from which the exhaust is performed by the roughing pump 30 which is continuously-communicated to the differential exhaust unit 29.
  • the roughing pump 30 a rotary pump, a scroll pump, or a mechanical booster pump is usually employed, the turbo molecular pump is also employable for exhausting this region.
  • a voltage is configured to be applied to the electrodes that form therein the apertures of the orifices 23, 24, and 25. This makes it possible to enhance the ion transmittance ratio, and simultaneously allows cluster ions, which are generated by the adiabatic expansion of the ions, to be opened/split by the collision with the molecules that turn out to remain.
  • a scroll pump whose exhaust rate is equal to 900 liters/minute has been employed as the roughing pump 30, and a turbo molecular pump whose exhaust rate is equal to 300 liters/minute has been employed as the vacuum pump 26 for exhausting the vacuum unit 27.
  • the roughing pump 30 is in co-use as a pump as well for exhausting the back-pressure side of the turbo molecular pump.
  • the pressure between the second orifice 24 and the third orifice 25 is equal to about 1 Torr. Also, by eliminating the electrode that forms therein the aperture of the second orifice 24, it is possible to configure the differential exhaust units using the two orifices, i.e., the first orifice 23 and the third orifice 25.
  • the gas amount flown therein is increased in comparison with the case where there exists the electrode that forms therein the aperture of the second orifice 24.
  • the ions generated by the ion-source 20, after having passed through the third orifice 25, are converged by a convergence lens 31.
  • a convergence lens 31 an Einzel lens which usually includes three sheets of electrodes or the like is employed.
  • the ions are converged onto an aperture portion of a slit electrode 32 by the convergence lens 31, then passing through this aperture portion.
  • the structure is such that a neutral particle or the like which cannot be converged by the convergence lens 31 collides with the slit electrode 32 and finds it difficult to reach the mass-analysis-unit side.
  • the ions having passed through the slit electrode 32 in this way are deflected and converged by a double-layered-cylinder-type deflector 35 which includes an inner-cylinder electrode 33 equipped with a large number of aperture portions and an outer-cylinder electrode 34.
  • the deflection and convergence are performed using an electric field by the outer-cylinder electrode which seeps through from the aperture portions of the inner-cylinder electrode, the details of which have been disclosed in JP-A-7-85834.
  • the ions having passed through the double-layer-cylinder-type deflector 35 are introduced into the ion-trap mass spectrometer which includes a ring electrode 36 and end-cap electrodes 37a and 37b.
  • a gate electrode 38 is provided for controlling a timing of the ion incidence into the mass spectrometer.
  • Brim electrodes 39a and 39b are provided for preventing the ions from reaching and charging quartz rings 40a and 40b for holding the ring electrode 36 and the end-cap electrodes 37a and 37b.
  • a not-illustrated helium-gas supply pipe supplies helium to the inside of the ion-trap mass spectrometer, thereby maintaining the inside pressure at about 10 -3 Torr.
  • a not-illustrated mass-spectrometer control unit controls the ion-trap mass spectrometer.
  • the ions introduced into the inside of the mass spectrometer collide with the helium gas to lose their energy, thus being captured by an alternating electric-field formed by a high-frequency voltage applied to the ring electrode 36 and the end-cap electrodes 37a and 37b.
  • the captured ions are ejected from a orifice of the end-cap electrode 37b, depending on the m/z values of the ions. Moreover, the ejected ions reach a detector 42 via an ion extraction lens 41, then being detected.
  • the detected signal after being amplified by an amplifier 43, is inputted into the data processing device 2 so as to be processed.
  • the ion-trap mass spectrometer has a characteristic of capturing the ions within the space surrounded by the ring electrode 36 and the end-cap electrodes 37a and 37b. As a result, even if the concentration of the detection target substance is low and thus the ion amount generated is small, it becomes possible to detect the detection target substance by lengthening the introduction time of the ions. Consequently, even if the sample concentration is low, the high-magnification enrichment of the ions can be implemented at the stage of the ion-trap mass spectrometer. This makes it possible to exceedingly simplify sample's preprocessings (e.g., enrichment).
  • the flow amount of the sample gas flown into the corona discharge unit 46 is important in order to detect a special drug with a high sensitivity and a high stability.
  • the exhaust pipe 22a be equipped with a flow-amount control unit 51.
  • the gas flow-amount that passes through the sample-gas introduction pipe 21 or the exhaust pipe 22b can be determined by the capacity of an absorption pump 52 such as a diaphragm pump and the conductances of the above-described distribution pipes.
  • the sample-gas introduction pipe 21 and the exhaust pipe 22b be also equipped with a control device such as the flow-amount control unit 51.
  • the absorption pump 52 is provided at a downstream position of the corona discharge unit 46 which, judging from the gas flow, is the ion generation unit. This reduces influences by a contamination (e.g., adsorption of the sample) of the inside of the absorption pump 52.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the entire configuration of the heater 5 by a perspective view thereof.
  • the main-body unit of the heater 5 is formed by including a circular-plate-shaped absorption heating plate 101, and an opposed heating plate 102 which is held opposedly to this absorption heating plate 101 with a predetermined spacing apart.
  • a penetration hole is provided in the central portion of the absorption heating plate 101, and a distribution pipe 106 is connected to this penetration hole. The other end of this distribution pipe 106 is connected to the sample-gas introduction pipe 21 in FIG. 1.
  • the opposed heating plate 102 is supported in a lift-up/lift-down-capable manner by a driving device 127. This allows the spacing with the absorption heating plate 101 to be adjustably formed. Also, the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 are heated and maintained at a predetermined high temperature by a heating unit and a temperature adjustment unit not illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, a check chip 8 on which a sample 7 has been picked up by wiping out the surface of a check target is inserted into a clearance between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 configured as described above.
  • a transportation device 109 illustrated in FIG. 5 inserts the check chips 8 into the clearance between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102, thereby allowing the implementation of the continuous heating.
  • the transportation device 109 includes the following configuration components: A pair of transportation driving pulleys 121 driven by a driving motor 120, plural dependent-movement pulleys 122, and two sheets of transportation belts 123a and 123b wound around the transportation driving pulleys 121 and the dependent-movement pulleys 122.
  • the transportation belts 123a and 123b are rotated by the driving motor 120 in a direction of, e.g., an illustrated arrow 110.
  • a lift-up/lift-down support device 124 for supplying the check chips 8 onto the transportation belts 123a and 123b is provided at the upstream end of the transportation belts 123a and 123b.
  • a detector 126 detects that the check chip 8 has been placed on board. At this time, if the check chip 8 has been in a state where the front-and-reverse, right-and-left, or back-and-forth relation is opposite and wrong, the on-board itself will not be detected.
  • the on-board plane of the lift-up/lift-down support device 124 is formed and set as follows: At the lifted-up position, the on-board plane is positioned above the upper-end planes of the transportation belts 123a and 123b. At the lifted-down position, the on-board plane is positioned below the upper-end planes of the transportation belts 123a and 123b. Moreover, lifting down the lift-up/lift-down support device 124 allows the check chip 8 to be placed on board the transportation belts 123a and 123b. If the check chip 8 has been lifted down, a lift-down detector 125 detects this.
  • the width of the spacing between the transportation belts 123a and 123b is as follows: The width is a one that the check chip 8 can spread over, and the width is set to be a dimension larger than the outer diameter of the opposed heating plate 102. Also, the upper-end planes of the transportation belts 123a and 123b are set such that, at a position where the opposed heating plate 102 has been lifted down most by the driving device 127, the check chip 8 will be positioned away from the absorption heating plate 101 sufficiently. Incidentally, it is preferable that an O ring or a zone belt formed of a rubber-based material capable of acquiring an appropriate friction be used as the transportation belts 123a and 123b. Additionally, although a driving device such as a solenoid or an air cylinder is available in substitution for the driving motor 120 of the transportation device 109, an AC servo motor or a pulse motor is effective in the case of performing the precise positioning or controlling plural points.
  • the check chips 8 placed on board the transportation belts 123a and 123b are transported in the direction of the illustrated arrow 110, then being transported down to the position at which the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 are opposed to each other.
  • the check chips 8 are heated by the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102.
  • a check-chip collection box 131 is set up under the downstream end of the transportation belts 123a and 123b.
  • the lift-up/lift-down support device 124 is at the lifted-up position, and is on stand-by in a state of being capable of placing a check chip 8 on board the on-board plane of the device 124. Then, if the check chip 8 has been placed on board, the detector 126 is switched ON to lift down the lift-up/lift-down support device 124. This lift-down causes the check chip 8 to be placed on board the transportation belts 123a and 123b, thereby starting the transportation. When the check chip 8 has been transported, the detector 126 is switched OFF to stop the lift-down of the lift-up/lift-down support device 124. The termination of this lift-down is performed by the detector 125.
  • a detector 130 detects this, then halting the transportation belts 123a and 123b.
  • the driving device 127 operates such that the opposed heating plate 102 will be lifted up to a position at which the spacing with the absorption heating plate 101 has become a predetermined spacing. If the opposed heating plate 102 has been lifted up to the predetermined position, a detector 129 detects this, then starting the measurement. Namely, the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 heat the check chip 8, thereby evaporating the sample 7 adhering to the check chip 8.
  • the evaporated sample gas is introduced into the ion-source 20 by a negative pressure via the distribution pipe 106 and the sample-gas introduction pipe 21.
  • the surrounding air is absorbed as a carrier gas via the clearance between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102.
  • the gas of the sample 7 adhering to the check chip 8 is eventually introduced into the mass spectrometer, where the mass analysis thereof is performed.
  • the measurement may be started before the detector 129 detected the termination of the above-described lift-up, e.g., from the point-in-time when the opposed heating plate 102 had started to be lifted up.
  • the driving device 127 is driven so as to lift down the opposed heating plate 102. This lift-down completion is confirmed by a detector 128. If the opposed heating plate 102 has been lifted down, the check chip 8 is placed on board the transportation belts 123a and 123b again so as to be transported. Then, if the check chip 8 has reached the downstream end of the transportation belts 123a and 123b, the check chip 8 drops down into the check-chip collection box 131 so as to be collected. This terminates the above-described series of sequences.
  • a predetermined heating i.e., vaporizing
  • the next check chip 8a can be set on stand-by in a state of being placed on board the lift-up/lift-down support device 124. Accordingly, at the step where the check chip 8b whose measurement had been terminated is ejected out into the check-chip collection box 131, the next check chip 8a can be transported down to the position of the heater's main body. This makes it possible to tremendously shorten the time-interval between the heating steps. Also, once a check chip 8 has been set on the lift-up/lift-down support device 124, the check chip 8 is automatically collected into the check-chip collection box 131 after the termination of the checking.
  • the check chips 8 can be collected in a batch manner without collecting the check chips 8 on each checking basis.
  • the operator has only to perform the operation of setting the check chips 8, which allows an enhancement in the throughput.
  • waiting for the collection to be terminated is unnecessary, which allows an enhancement in the operation efficiency.
  • the outer surface of a piece of hand baggage or the like is wiped out by using the check chip 8 such as a filter paper, thereby picking up substances adhering to the outer surface onto the check chip 8 such as the filter paper (S1).
  • the check chip 8 is not limited to the filter paper, but may also be a piece of cloth.
  • the check chip 8 with which the outer surface of the hand baggage or the like has been wiped out is set on the lift-up/lift-down support device 124 of the heater 5.
  • This allows the substances such as drugs, which have been picked up on the check chip 8, to be heated (e.g., at about 100 to 300°C) and vaporized (i.e., evaporated) (S2).
  • S2 vaporized (i.e., evaporated)
  • This further, allows the small amount of sample 7, which has been picked up on the check chip 8, to be effectively introduced into the mass spectrometer.
  • the surrounding air (i.e., carrier gas) absorbed from the heater 5 is suppressed down to a small amount so that the sample gas generated from the check chip 8 will not be diluted in concentration.
  • the mass analysis of the sample gas including the drugs vaporized in this way is executed by the following steps: A first analysis step S3 of acquiring mass spectrums, a first judgment step S4 of judging whether or not ions having a first characteristic m/z value are present on the basis of the mass spectrums acquired at the first analysis step S3, a second analysis step S5 of performing a tandem mass spectroscopy in correspondence with a judgment result acquired at the first judgment step S4, a second judgment step S6 of judging whether or not ions having a second characteristic m/z value are present on the basis of mass spectrums acquired by the tandem mass spectroscopy, and a notification step S7 of outputting an alarm in correspondence with a judgment result acquired at the second judgment step S6.
  • the measurement operation including the step S3 and the step S4 is referred to as "screening mode”
  • the measurement operation including the step S5 and the step S6 is referred to as "detailed-checking mode”.
  • the mass analysis of ions generated from the sample gas is performed, thereby measuring the mass spectrums.
  • the m/z value of this pseudo molecule ion is equal to 136, it is judged at the step S4 whether or not ions whose m/z value is equal to 136 have been detected.
  • the m/z value judged at the step S4 differs depending on the type of the special drug. Also, it is advisable that the presence or absence of plural different m/z values be judged in correspondence with various types of drugs, stimulants, and the like.
  • the tandem mass spectrometry (which, hereinafter, will be described as "MS-MS") is executed at the second analysis step S5.
  • the analysis step S5 includes the selection of precursor ions, the dissociation of the precursor ions, and the mass analysis of fragment ions. Also, it is advisable that, in order to enhance the analysis accuracy, a longer time be spent in the step S5 as compared with the step S3.
  • the MS-MS measurement at the step S5 allows the acquisition of the mass spectrums which include ample information about the molecular structures.
  • the judgment step S6 judges these mass spectrums. This second judgment step judges whether or not the ions having the second m/z value characteristic of the detection target are present. If the ions are present, the alarm is outputted at the step S7 so as to notify the ions' presence.
  • the mass spectrums of the detection target acquired by the tandem mass spectroscopy at the step S5 are utilized as a database. Making reference to this database allows the accomplishment of a higher-accuracy judgment.
  • the hand-baggage checking it takes a certain extent of time to terminate the wiping-out operation using the check chip 8 such as a filter paper, and the setting operation of the check chip 8 onto the heater 5.
  • the employment of the processing steps illustrated in FIG. 7 permits an average time needed for the detection to be suppressed down to about 1 to 2 seconds on each hand-baggage basis, although, on a rare occasion, it takes a little longer time to execute the processing steps up to the detailed-checking mode.
  • the judgment based on the tandem mass spectroscopy is made by employing the detailed-checking mode.
  • This allows the implementation of a high selectivity and a reduction in the number of false reports.
  • the detailed-checking mode necessitates the little longer time, the following measure is preferable: Namely, a signal which is easy for the operator to recognize, such as lighting up a warning lump, is outputted at the stage of having transitioned from the screening mode to the detailed-checking mode.
  • the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is as follows: The opposed heating plate 102 is configured to be in the lift-up/lift-down-capable manner. Next, the spacing between the opposed heating plate 102 and the absorption heating plate 101 is enlarged, then inserting the check chip 8 into the spacing therebetween. After that, the spacing is narrowed down to a predetermined spacing, then performing the measurement and the heating. In substitution for this, the following embodiment is preferable: The spacing between the opposed heating plate 102 and the absorption heating plate 101 is fixed beforehand, then inserting the check chip 8 into the clearance therebetween.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B the explanation will be given below regarding influences exerted on the measurement by the spacing between the opposed heating plate 102 and the absorption heating plate 101.
  • the following assumption is made: Two types of substances A and B whose vapor pressures at one and the same temperature differ from each other are contained in the sample 7 in predetermined amounts respectively, and also the vapor pressure of the substance A is relatively higher as compared with that of the substance B.
  • the explanation will be given below regarding a case where, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the spacing between the opposed heating plate 102 and the absorption heating plate 101 is fixed to be d1, and then the check chip 8 is inserted therein. In this case, FIG.
  • FIG. 9A illustrates a time change in the concentration of the sample gas to be introduced into the ion-source 20 of the mass spectrometer from the heater 5.
  • a point-in-time when the check chip 8 had been inserted between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 is defined and represented as 0.
  • the gas concentration is illustrated by being normalized using a detection lower-limit value which differs depending on the substances.
  • the detection lower-limit value which becomes a constant value by this normalization, is indicated by the dotted line.
  • the mass-analysis operation is usually performed by executing a sampling intermittently. Accordingly, points-in-time of the sampling period are indicated by the one-point chain lines.
  • the substance A corresponds to the former case
  • the substance B corresponds to the latter case. In this way, depending on differences in the vapor pressures of substances, the waveforms of time passages in the gas concentrations differ from each other.
  • the reason for this phenomenon is as follows: Namely, a substance having a higher vapor pressure exhibits a higher vaporization rate in the heater 5, thereby generating a high-concentration gas in a short time. On the other hand, a substance having a lower vapor pressure exhibits a lower vaporization rate in the heater 5, thereby continuing to generate a low-concentration gas for a long time.
  • FIG. 9B illustrates a time change in this case in the concentration of the sample gas to be introduced into the ion-source 20 of the mass spectrometer from the heater 5.
  • the spacing has become narrower.
  • the opposed heating plate 102 is lifted up/lifted down by the driving device 127 so as to adjust the spacing with the absorption heating plate 101.
  • This makes it possible to change the heating speed for the sample in the heater 5.
  • This further, allows a heating speed preferable for the detection to be easily implemented in accordance with the vapor pressure of a substance of the detection target.
  • FIG. 10A illustrates the change in the spacing between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102
  • FIG. 10B illustrates a change in the gas concentration to be introduced into the mass spectrometer.
  • the substance A had been detected.
  • the substance B having a lower vapor pressure has been detected.
  • the opposed heating plate 102 is lifted up so as to narrow the spacing, thereby speeding up the heating speed. Accordingly, even if various types of substances having different vapor pressures are contained in one and the same sample, executing this speeding-up operation makes it possible to detect these substances easily.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the main-body unit of the heater 5 including the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 according to the embodiment in FIG. 5.
  • the present embodiment is as follows: The check chip 8 is fixed by being sandwiched between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 through the contacts therewith, then vaporizing the sample 7. Namely, as illustrated in FIG. 11, protrusions 112 in a constant height are provided along the circumferential portion of the heating surface of the absorption heating plate 101 according to the present embodiment in a direction heading from the center to the circumferential direction. Between the respective protrusions 112, a groove-shaped absorption opening 113 is formed which is capable of absorbing the surrounding atmosphere-gas.
  • each absorption opening 113 is no specific problem, as long as each opening 113 is routed to the inside of the heating surface of the absorption heating plate 101 so that the sample gas can be absorbed in a necessary flow-amount.
  • the present embodiment is effective in a case where the check chip 8 is formed of a soft material and thus the holding is unstable. Namely, the fixing of proximity to the measurement surface of the check chip 8 allows the sample 7 to be held in a flat and stable state. This makes it possible to stabilize the vaporization and to execute the mass analysis without measurement variations. Also, the heating surface of the opposed heating plate 102 is formed into a concave configuration, then adjusting the spacing with the absorption heating plate 101. This makes it possible to adjust the heating speed into a slowed-down value.
  • FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrate an embodiment of a holding equipment of the check chip 8.
  • the present embodiment is a check-chip holding equipment which is preferable for the case where the check chip 8 formed of a soft material is heated by the heater 5 of the embodiment in FIG. 5.
  • the check-chip holding equipment 134 is configured by connecting an upper holding equipment 135 and a lower holding equipment 136 by using a hinge 140. Circle-shaped apertures 137 and 138 whose diameters are larger than those of the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 are formed in the central portions of the upper holding equipment 135 and the lower holding equipment 136.
  • a ring protrusion 139 is formed along the circumferential edge portion of this aperture 137 such that, when the upper holding equipment 135 and the lower holding equipment 136 are folded using the hinge 140, the outer circumference of the ring protrusion 139 will be inserted into the inside of the aperture 138 of the lower holding equipment 136 with a constant clearance left.
  • the check-chip holding equipment 134 is formed of a material which is repeatedly usable, heat-resistant, and exerts an appropriate friction onto the transportation belts 123a and 123b in FIG. 5.
  • the diameters of the apertures 137 and 138 are designed to an extent which prevents the upper holding equipment 135 and the lower holding equipment 136 from being heated too much by the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102.
  • the configurations of the apertures 137 and 138 may be either the circular shape or square shape, depending on those of the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102.
  • the check-chip holding equipment 134 of the present embodiment has been configured in this way.
  • the check chip 8 of a soft material is placed on board the lower holding equipment 136 with the surface to which the sample 7 adheres directed upwards, and that the upper holding equipment 135 is folded.
  • the check chip 8 is sandwiched by the ring protrusion 139 and the aperture 138 of the lower holding equipment 136. This smoothes out wrinkles of the check chip 8 formed at the time of the sample wiping-out or the like.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates, by a perspective view, the entire configuration of another embodiment of the heater 5 according to the present invention.
  • the present embodiment is a one implemented by changing, to a rotation system, the transportation device 109 of the check chip 8 in the heater 5 illustrated in FIG. 5.
  • a rotation plate 142 is selected as the transportation medium in substitution for the transportation belts 123a and 123b.
  • the rotation plate 142 is rotation-driven by a motor 141.
  • the driving control over the motor 141 allows the check chip 8 to be transported from the set position to the position of the check-chip collection box 131 via the clearance between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102.
  • the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 are opposed to each other with a clearance formed therebetween.
  • the check chip 8 i.e., a target to be heated, is inserted therebetween so as to heat and vaporize the sample 7.
  • the heater 5 is applicable to a check chip 8 which has no ventilation property.
  • the sample gas is absorbed therein in such a manner that the air introduced by a negative pressure of the ion-source 20 via the clearance between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102 is used as the carrier gas.
  • the gas flow of the sample gas is stabilized immediately after the check chip 8 has been inserted into the clearance between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102.
  • the check chips 8 are automatically transported into the clearance between the absorption heating plate 101 and the opposed heating plate 102, which allows an enhancement in the throughput. Simultaneously, waiting for the collection of the terminated check chips 8 is unnecessary, which allows an enhancement in the operation efficiency.
  • the sample pick-up method of the present invention is not limited thereto, but can employ the following embodiments described below:
  • FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the sample pick-up method of the present invention.
  • the present embodiment differs from the previously-described pick-up method in a point that, in substitution for the heater 5 of the embodiment in FIG. 1, a hose connector 6 is mounted on the sample-gas introduction pipe 21, and an absorption hose 7 is connected to this hose connector 6, and an absorption probe 8 for picking up the sample gas is mounted on this absorption hose 7.
  • the present embodiment is a one where, in substitution for the system of picking up the sample by wiping out the outer surface or the like of a check target with the check chip 8 such as a filter paper, the sample is directly absorbed from the outer surface or the like of the check target so as to be supplied into the mass spectrometer.
  • the absorption probe 8 illustrated in FIG. 16A is a vibrator-type absorption probe, which is configured as follows: A vibration generator 53 is provided inside a housing 52 whose front-end portion is tapered down. Moreover, a contact vibrator 55 is mounted on the vibration generator 53 via an elastic member 54 such as a spring in a step-back/step-forth-fully-capable manner in the direction of the housing 52. Also, as illustrated in FIG 16B, slits 56 capable of absorbing the air are formed around the circumferential surface of the tapered-down portion at the front end of the housing 52.
  • the absorption probe 8 illustrated in FIG. 17 is a heating-type absorption probe where, in substitution for the vibration generator 53 and the contact vibrator 55 in FIG. 16A, a heater 63 is provided at the front-end portion of the inside of a housing 62.
  • This absorption probe is configured such that heat wave 64 from the heater 63 makes it possible to heat the surface of the check target 57.
  • an electric thermal wire for heating the inner surface is wound around the housing 62.
  • the substances adhering to the surface of the check target 57 are evaporated by the heat (e.g., about 80 to 100°C) so as to be absorbed into the absorption probe 8, then being introduced into the mass spectrometer.
  • the absorption probe 8 illustrated in FIG. 18 is a light-heating-type absorption probe where, in substitution for the heater 63 in FIG. 17, the surface of the check target 57 is heated by irradiating the surface with light 64, such as laser light, with the use of an optical fiber 72.
  • a reference numeral 73 denotes a support member for supporting the optical fiber 72, and configuration components to which the same reference numerals as the ones in FIG. 17 are attached have the same function configurations.
  • the absorption probe 8 in FIG. 18 similarly with the case in FIG. 17, the substances adhering to the surface of the check target 57 are evaporated by the heat, and the vapors are introduced into the mass spectrometer.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates a modified embodiment of the pick-up method in FIG. 16A where the adhering substances to the check-target surface are picked up by utilizing the vibration.
  • the present embodiment is configured as follows: A vibration plate 76, which is driven by a not-illustrated vibration generator, is provided between belt conveyors of a hand-baggage transportation bench 75 including two sheets of transportation belts 74. Moreover, using this vibration plate 76, the check target 57 as a whole is vibrated in an up-and-down direction 77, thereby, by this vibration, liberating the substances adhering to the surface of the check target 57.
  • the absorption probe 8 in this case may be a mere cylinder.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a portable-type absorption probe 9 which is preferable for the cases as described above.
  • the portable-type absorption probe 9 is formed by including a case 81 and a cylinder-shaped absorption nozzle 85 mounted on a forward wall of the case 81.
  • the case 81 stores therein an absorption fan 82, a motor 83 for driving this fan 82, and a battery 84 as the power-supply.
  • an absorption opening 86 is provided in the forward wall of the case 81 on which the absorption nozzle 85 is mounted, and an exhaust opening 87 is provided in a backward wall of the case 81.
  • a handle 88 is provided on the upper portion of the case 81.
  • a filter set-up unit for setting up a sample pick-up cassette filter 91 is provided on a connection unit between the absorption nozzle 85 and the case 81.
  • the cassette filter 91 is configured to include a grasp unit 90 which is provided at a circumferential edge of a ring-shaped frame 89 of the filter 91.
  • an aperture circle positioned at the inner side of the frame 89 is formed in a manner of being decentered in a direction moving away from the grasp unit 90.
  • the filter 91 is set up in such a manner that this aperture circle is filled.
  • Various types of filter materials, such as a filter paper, can be used as the filter 91.
  • the filter set-up unit as illustrated in FIG.
  • a slit whose width is equal to the thickness of the cassette filter 91 is formed along a half circumference of the outer circumferential wall of the absorption nozzle 85.
  • the cassette filter 91 is formed in an insertion/extraction-capable manner into/from this slit. As illustrated in FIG. 21A, the cassette filter 91 is held by a filter seat 92.
  • a disc-shaped support board 93 is fixed on the inner wall of the absorption nozzle 85.
  • a support rod 94 is provided by being extended from the central portion of the support board 93 toward the front-end direction of the absorption nozzle 85.
  • plural apertures 95 through which the sample gas flows are provided by being punched into the support board 93.
  • a heater 96 which is mounted at the front end of the support rod 94, is connected to the battery 84 via a not-illustrated switch. Also, the heater 96 is provided in a state of being positioned on a somewhat inner side than the front-end portion 97 of the absorption nozzle 85.
  • the unused cassette filter 91 is inserted and set up into the filter set-up unit and if the heater 96 is switched ON and also the absorption fan 82 is rotated, the surrounding air is absorbed from the front-end portion of the absorption nozzle 85.
  • the front-end portion of the absorption nozzle 85 is brought closer to or brought into contact with the surface of a check target, the surface of the check target is heated by the heater 96.
  • substances adhering to the surface of the check target are evaporated, then being absorbed together with the surrounding air.
  • the absorbed substances' vapors in the air are condensated at the filter 91, thereby being colleted. Namely, if a special drug had adhered to the surface of the check target, the vapors can be collected by being condensated at the filter 91.
  • the cassette filter 91 on which the sample has been colleted is set on the heater 5 illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 14. This allows the detection of a special drug to be executed even if the mass spectrometer and the check target are set apart in space, or are set apart in time.
  • the portable-type absorption probe 9 in FIG. 20 can also be configured by combining the vibration generator, the vibrator, the optical fiber, and the like.
  • the absorption nozzle 85 can be configured as a double-layered cylinder where the air is injected from the inner cylinder so as to liberate adhering substances, and where the adhering substances are absorbed from the outer cylinder.
  • the explanation has been given concerning the example where the ion-trap mass spectrometer is applied as the mass spectrometer.
  • the mass spectrometer is not limited to the ion-trap mass spectrometer, but the conventional publicly-known mass spectrometers are applicable.
  • the mass spectrometer of the following so-called reverse-flow system is applicable: Namely, the introduction direction of a sample into a corona discharge region and the direction in which ions are extracted by the corona discharge are substantially opposed to each other, thereby enhancing the production efficiency of the ions.
  • the special drug detection method and detection device of the present invention allow a sample pick-up to be easily performed from various types of check targets, and make it possible to shorten the pick-up time and the checking time.
  • the special drug pick-up device of the present invention allows the sample pick-up to be easily performed from the various types of check targets, and makes it possible to shorten the pick-up time.
EP04000768A 2003-03-31 2004-01-15 Procédé et appareil pour la détection de drogues Withdrawn EP1464943A3 (fr)

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JP2003096487A JP3800422B2 (ja) 2003-03-31 2003-03-31 特定薬物の探知方法及び探知装置
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US20060226358A1 (en) 2006-10-12

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